Justin Herrmann announces run for Maui County mayor

Justin Herrmann has announced his intent to run for mayor of Maui County.

“I have lived on Maui for the past 12 years and have seen firsthand both the strength of our communities and the growing challenges residents face,” Herrmann said in an email announcement Monday. “Maui is at a turning point. Families are struggling with the cost of living, housing insecurity, disaster recovery and a widening disconnect between county government decisions and the people they are meant to serve.”

A Maui-based entrepreneur and community organizer, Herrmann said he was involved in relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic and following the 2023 Maui wildfires through the nonprofit Hungry Heroes Hawaiʻi, helping coordinate food distribution and other support services. He said the experience reinforced his views that leadership should be “present, accountable and grounded in real action.”

Herrmann previously ran for the West Maui seat on the Maui County Council in 2022. He said residents he spoke with during that race consistently raised concerns about transparency, cost of living and trust in government.

According to Herrmann, his mayoral campaign will focus on financial accountability, rebuilding public trust and creating long-term systems that put residents first.

Herrmann is running under the campaign slogan “U+ME=US.” He can be reached at justinherrmann84@gmail.com and on Instagram @JHermAloha26. His website is expected to be launched at a later date.